Had my first glimpse of Martin O'Malley on Morning Joe this morning - I got the impression it was the first time he was on. I will simply give a brief summary of my impression.
Number one, he seemed to make it clear that yes, he would actually be running, so that is good news as I am looking for a strong primary race.
He was asked if he would be "running to win", which I took as an inquiry if he would act like Hillary was just like any other candidate or was he running simply to introduce himself to the larger stage or a potential VP nomination? He said anyone who knew him knew that he only ran to win.
Now, here's where I think he didn't do as well as he could have done.
1. He was diffident when asked about the email and tried to evade the answer and then basically wouldn't comment except to say that standard email policies were a good thing or something in response to if he would have done the same thing.
ADVICE to O'Malley-
No one expects other Democrats to slam Hillary - you could have said, "Hillary herself says she would have done it differently in hindsight and no, I wouldn't have done it her way in the same position".
That's not hard - by admitting that she would do it differently, Hillary cleared the way for other Democrats to at least admit that she didn't follow approved practices so they can stop making themselves look like idiots defending her in this regard.
So Martin, you get dinged on your email response - could have and should have been stronger and not as equivocal.
2. He completely blew it when asked by Joe Scarborough what single policy he would enact if he could that would improve the lives of average Americans and start to work on the wealth inequality.
His answer was to re-enact Glass Steagall so that the banks would be forced to stop gambling with our money.
ADVICE to O'Malley-
Total bad answer - inside baseball based on regulation of Wall Street - too esoteric and does not relate to the average voter. No average low information voter listening is going to poke their partner and say ""See there Ed/Edna, that there fella is going to re-enact Glass Steagall."
He did then follow-up with indexing minimum wage, but with no good explanation attached like "which at the very least means low wages won't be constantly eroding simply based on inflation - that would provide firm rather than shifting ground for workers."
My further advice - pick out the issues that actually will put dollars into Middle American pockets that they will understand :
*Roll back interest on all outstanding student debt.
We have hundreds of thousands of people out there of all ages who are crushed by their student debt burden. That will make them sit up and listen, plus you might energize the youth vote.
*Negotiating drug prices in Medicare AND and exchange policies.
Americans know we are still spending too much on pharmeceuticals, this is money that comes out their pockets and they will like anyone who actually tries to put the money back into their pockets and save the government money at the same time.
*Climate change in a way that works - talk about government subsidies or other help for home solar panels, increased insulation, and the like so that people can save utility bills and help save the planet at the same time. Don't talk about "green industries" - we've heard the pitch before and it will remind people of Solyndra - focus on helping the people in the homes that are on Main Street right now - helping the people will help the industries. When people complain about debt in response say "We are already subsidizing wealthy industries that don't need it - I am going to re-direct those same dollars to the average American.
*No trade pacts or treaties that undermine American workers and jobs and that erode the ability of the country and the states to exercise control over the environment and public safety. This is a big opportunity to distinguish yourself from HRC.
*Transparency and accountability in government. Go for it Martin. Everytime you mention this issue, it's a zinger against Hillary. You did say you were running to win, right?
*Economics - surround yourself with the guys who have correct but ignored like Paul Krugman and Robert Reich - the anti-Summers/Rubin people who have been pushed to the side and ignored
*Justice - make it clear that in your administration there will be no such thing as Too Big To Jail and that white collar criminals will be prosecuted and go to jail. Also make clear your commitment to Voting Rights and Civil Rights
And of course there are any other numbers of issues you can represent
ADVICE to O'Malley-
On general demeanor and presentation:
Step up the energy and the passion. Martin, you are way too low key. I am seriously in the market for a Hillary alternative and while you seemed nice enough, this morning you were a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread.
IMO, America wants a fighter who will battle the entrenched interests.Make it clear you are the person representing Main Street in this race if you want to win because that is where the vacuum exists and that is what a lot of people are looking for.
Watch and Listen to Elizabeth Warren and follow her lead. She knows how to discuss complex issues simply. If we can't have EW, we need someone as strong as she is to represent the interest of the Average Joe. You could be that guy. Good luck!